An NBA Mock Draft, by Matt McCullers

Matt McCullers

Since I’m an avid follower of College Basketball, NBA drafts are not too hard for me. Of course, my mock draft is not like everyone else’s. Unfortunately, I have no clue how good these international players are. I’m going to be frank with you and just leave them out. Since there are three foreign players that are projected to go in the first round, I am going to give you my mock draft of 27 college basketball players. Also, I am not going to rank these players by the position that a certain NBA team needs. I am simply going to provide a list of the 27 college basketball players that I believe are primed for the NBA. In addition, I will provide some explanations for why I have certain players in certain places.

1. Jahlil Okafor - Okafor will strive in the NBA because the NBA needs more centers. He is a big, quick, and multi-skilled center who has a knack for fooling any defender that tries to guard him. Like he did for Duke, he’ll be able to get away numerous travelling violations and offensive fouls (you can’t wrap your arm around a defender to create space Jahlil.)

2. Karl-Anthony Towns - I like Towns. He was by far Kentucky’s most talented player and is a powerful big man who can score at will. In addition, he is a good rebounder and defender.

3. Justice Winslow - Winslow is that player that can be overlooked, but is a game-changer. He is the ultimate reason that Duke won a National Championship this year. He is a player who has the ability to score, but if he’s not scoring he will play excellent defense to make up for it. With his athleticism and intangibles, he will make for a successful NBA player.

4. Willie Cauley-Stein - This is a kid who could’ve went in the first round two years ago. He decided to pass up on that and develop skills that would not only propel his college team forward, but rise his stock level for the NBA. He is not a huge scorer, but an excellent rebounder and defender. With the experience of playing with so many talented players on Kentucky, he’ll fit right in in the NBA.

5. Stanley Johnson - Arizona would not have had the season it had if it weren’t for Johnson. He is a multi-faceted, true small forward who can drive and shoot.

6. DeAngelo Russell - He is a little low on the list because I think this kid should still be playing in college. He’s a good player but I feel that his stock is so high because he is a tall point guard.

7. Devin Booker - Another kid who I think still needs a little bit more development. Aside from that, he’s a tall shooting guard who can shoot “lights out” from beyond the arc. He’ll do fine.

8. Myles Turner - Behind Towns, the best power forward in the draft.

9. Sam Dekker - I have Dekker a little ahead of everyone else because this kid can really play. He’s one of the most athletic players in this draft. He’s also smart with the basketball and he is a pure scorer. Also, his size is good for a small forward.

10. Frank Kaminsky - I’ve been hearing from a lot of people that Frank the Tank is a little overrated. Say what you will, but this skilled big man has a great work ethic that brought him from a nobody to a somebody. That work ethic is sure to continue on into the next level.

11. Cameron Payne - Very skilled point guard who averaged about 20 points per game at Murray State (pretty impressive for PG). I wish I could have seen him play a little bit more though.

12. Jerian Grant - Good point guard who is really good at getting fouled. Let’s see how the refs in the NBA react to him.

13. Tyus Jones - One of the most underrated players in college basketball. Period. He is a really good guard who can adapt to any situation.

14. Kevon Looney

15. Bobby Portis

16. Terry Rozier - Like Russ Smith, he’s kind of that small, yet scrappy Louisville point guard. He might be drafted in the first round, but I’m kind of shaky on his future.

17. Kelly Oubre - I still think he needs more development

18. Delon Wright

19. Montezl Harrell - The man is truly a beast in the paint. He will get better in the pros.

20. Trey Lyles

21. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

22. RJ Hunter

23. Chris McCullough

24. Christian Wood

25. Rakeem Christmas

26. Olivier Hanlan - I’ve seen him play more than the average sports fan because I follow ACC basketball. Because Boston College stinks, nobody has really heard of Hanlan but he ended up being one of the top scorers in the ACC this year. Look out for him.

27. Justin Anderson - This player is going to do a complete 180-going from such a defensive-minded team (UVA) to such an offensive-minded league.